Mayor of Tequila Arrested for Extortion, Alleged Cartel Ties

Reference TimelineLast updated FEB 21
SUMMARY

Tequila Mayor Diego Rivera Navarro was formally charged by a Mexican judge on February 12, 2026, with organized crime and the 2021 kidnapping of two mayoral candidates, following his arrest on February 5, 2026, in Tequila, Jalisco. As of February 12, 2026, Rivera Navarro, along with his public security director and director of property records and taxes, remains imprisoned at the Altiplano federal prison. The charges stem from allegations that he ran an extortion ring targeting distillers and beer producers, reportedly in collusion with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, with complaints including one from Becle, producer of Jose Cuervo, for 60 million pesos in extortion for municipal permits. Rivera Navarro, who allegedly had his campaign financed by the CJNG, also faces accusations of harassment and gender-based offenses from ten complaints, including unauthorized modifications to the National Tequila Museum.

Timeline

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February 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Tequila Mayor Diego Rivera Navarro has been formally charged by a Mexican judge with organized crime and the 2021 kidnapping of two mayoral candidates.

    Tequila Mayor Diego Rivera Navarro has been formally charged by a Mexican judge with organized crime and the 2021 kidnapping of two mayoral candidates. Rivera Navarro, who allegedly had his campaign financed by the CJNG, was ordered to remain at the Altiplano federal prison. His public security director and director of property records and taxes will also remain in prison.

  2. Mexican authorities arrested Tequila Mayor Diego Rivera Navarro and three municipal directors on Feb…

    Mexican authorities arrested Tequila Mayor Diego Rivera Navarro and three municipal directors on February 5, 2026, for allegedly running an extortion ring targeting distillers and beer producers in collusion with the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Federal Security Minister Omar García Harfuch announced the arrests as part of "Operation Swarm," a federal initiative against corruption. The group is accused of leading a racketeering ring that targeted producers, with Becle, the producer of Jose Cuervo, reportedly filing a complaint.

December 2025 — 3 developments

  1. It was reported that the mayor of Tequila was accused of extorting 60 million pesos from José Cuervo for municipal permits.

    It was reported that the mayor of Tequila was accused of extorting 60 million pesos from José Cuervo for municipal permits. The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) also filed a complaint for unauthorized modifications to the National Tequila Museum.

  2. The number of complaints against the mayor increased to ten, with allegations including harassment, …

    The number of complaints against the mayor increased to ten, with allegations including harassment, political violence, and gender-based offenses against councilwomen and an activist. The State Prosecutor's Office announced an investigation.

  3. Multiple complaints, including one from José Cuervo, were filed against the mayor of Tequila for alleged extortion and abuse of power.

    Multiple complaints, including one from José Cuervo, were filed against the mayor of Tequila for alleged extortion and abuse of power. Authorities began investigating these claims.

October 2025 — 1 developments